Appointee Biographies
Skilled Trades Ontario
MICHAEL SHERRARD
Michael Sherrard is one of Canada’s leading employment and labour lawyers, Michael is recognized by Chambers Global®, Who’s Who Legal® (Global Elite Thought Leader & Most Highly Regarded), Legal 500®, Best Lawyers® and Lexpert®. He is former Chair of the National Labour and Employment Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association, and the Labour and Employment Law Section of the Ontario Bar Association. In October 2020, the Government of Ontario appointed Michael Chair of the Skilled Trades Panel. Acclaimed for his broad range of expertise, strategic excellence, and ability to identify and broker agreement in the most difficult of circumstances, Michael is the recipient of several awards including the Construction Institute of Canada’s Chancellor’s Award of Excellence and University of New Brunswick Alumni Award of Distinction. Michael graduated from the University of New Brunswick with a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Education.
BRADLEY NICPON
Bradley Nicpon is a partner in McCarthy Tétrault’s Real Property & Planning Group in Toronto. His practice focuses on infrastructure, construction, energy, real estate development and public-private partnerships. Brad has advised on and led infrastructure transactions around the world. His experience includes the drafting and negotiating of legal arrangements to construct, operate, finance, purchase and sell infrastructure assets across various classes, including energy generation & transmission, hospitals, law enforcement, sporting facilities, and transit/transportation projects. Brad received an LL.B. from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2007, an M.Sc. in Political Theory from the London School of Economics in 2004 and a B.Sc. (Hons) in Genetics and Political Science from the University of Western Ontario in 2003. Brad qualified as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Province of Ontario in 2008, and as a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales in 2016.
KAREN RENKEMA-MILLAR
Karen Renkema-Millar is the Vice-President of Ontario - Progressive Contractors Association of Canada, and a former Director of Government Relations for Ontario Road Builders' Association. Her community involvement includes serving as Co-Chair, CLAC Sector Health and Safety Committee.
JASON OTTEY
Jason Ottey serves as a member (part-time) for the Premier’s Council on Equality of Opportunity, a Director of Government Relations and Communications for LiUNA Local 183, and a former member of Skilled Trades Panel (short-term advisory board).
MICHAEL GALLARDO
Michael Gallardo is the President & CEO of Merit Ontario and brings expertise in areas such as trade advocacy, safety training, workforce and leadership development, employer group benefits, contract/collective bargaining agreement expertise, and construction industry and labour relations.
CHRISTINE WELLENREITER
Christine Wellenreiter, CM, ICD.D, is a bilingual communications and marketing leader with extensive experience in financial services and asset management. With over 18 years of governance and board leadership across crown agencies, healthcare, education, and insurance, Christine has served on the Skilled Trades Ontario Board of Directors since 2022, advancing to Vice-Chair in 2023. She leverages her executive expertise to drive strategic priorities supporting skilled trades development and economic growth in Ontario. As Principal and Founder of Waverider Marketing, Christine consults with organizations to elevate brand value and modernize go-to-market and communication strategies. In previous roles, including Director of Strategy & Market Support at Canada Life and Vice-President of Marketing and Communications for GLC Asset Management, her capital market insights were featured nationally for over 15 years. She launched numerous competitive products for group, retail, and institutional investors and led sustainable investment initiatives and global enterprise collaboration as a member of Great-West Lifeco’s Sustainable Investment Council. Christine’s governance experience and business acumen, complemented by her straightforward communication style and results-oriented approach, have led to increased brand value, risk mitigation, and efficiency in high-stakes projects. Passionate about community impact, she has served as a provincially appointed member of the London Police Services Board, Chair of the Thames Valley Children’s Centre Board, member of Program Advisory Councils for the Lawrence Kinlin School of Business, and inaugural co-chair of Canada Life’s Young Professionals Employee Resource Group. Christine holds Chartered Marketer and ICD.D (Institute of Corporate Directors) designations, the CFA ESG Investing Certificate (CFA Institute), and a Bachelor of Arts with a Certificat de Français pratique from Western University.
JOHN BRESLIN
From 1978-1982, John Breslin served his apprenticeship in Scotland as a Mechanical Fitter with the British Steel Corporation. After immigrating to Canada in 1986, John worked for several companies and earned his Ontario Certificate of Qualification as an Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) in 1991. He was hired at the Chrysler Brampton Assembly Plant in 1992. During his time there, John held several positions within the union including the Skilled Trades Chairperson. In 2011, John was appointed as the National Coordinator for World Class Manufacturing representing Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. In 2014, John was appointed as Director, Skilled Trades for Unifor. As Director, John continues to represent over 50,000 Skilled Trades in over 20 sectors across Canada. John also currently serves on the Board of Directors with the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum. John has a true passion for the advancement of apprenticeships, while being a strong advocate for Skilled Trades.